Our Hormone Response To Noise
When we think of cancer we think of it as a “cause”, like in the cause of death. Looking more deeply into cancer, diabetes, arthritis and other maladies, we see them for what they are: symptoms. Cancer can spread, but it doesn’t cause cancer, something else does. One of the things that can is noise.
Research has proven that noise can cause health problems from the 14th day after conception until the day we die. And, noise has been linked to cancer through disrupted sleep patterns, the resulting abnormal secretions of hormones and overreactive immune system functions.
Barking dogs, traffic noise, jet planes, loud music, a loose shutter or anything that interrupts normal sleep patterns, even if subconsciously, can be a trigger for the release of abnormal amounts of hormones. Other problems like ulcers, asthma and allergic reactions have long been known to be caused, or aggravated, by bodily secretions.
David Spiegel MD, Sandra Sephton MD, et al, analyzed various studies from the past at Stanford University in California. Their findings were that sleep disruption problems could upset the delicate balance of hormones and other normal immune system responses, and turn those responses into cancer.
Hormones can interact with the body in ways similar to drug contraindications or side effects. If a person is receiving treatments, like chemotherapy or radiation, and they’re experiencing repeated sleep disruption problems, the stress hormones produced by the sleep disruptions can negatively impact treatment or worsen the overall condition.
The hypothalamus, a region in the forebrain, is linked with the thalamus and the pituitary gland. Through that connection, it controls various functions including thirst, eating, sexual performance, body temperature and water balance and is closely connected with emotional activity and sleep. It also functions as a center for integration of hormonal and autonomic nervous system activity.
By making the connections between sleep, emotional and hormonal activity, we find numerous things. Two of which are: we’re not individual parts and pieces that can be separated from the rest of the organism without causing other problems, and difficulties with abnormal hormonal secretions caused by sleep disruption.
Cortisol, a stress hormone, is triggered during times of anxiety and in excess, according to doctors Spiegel and Sephton, may be involved in the development and worsening of cancer and other diseases through the emotional/anxiety/stress connection. Adrenaline, the other main stress hormone, and adrenal exhaustion caused by excessive adrenal function, can contribute to many different problems including sexual dysfunction and weight gain or loss.
Hormones, if they remain too long in the system, cause problems. The inflammatory protein Interleuken-6 can cause bone deterioration and C-reactive protein, an infection fighting liver enzyme, can become harmful if it lingers. High levels of CRP can indicate problems including heart disease.
Some specialists contend that high levels of inflammation proteins increase the buildup of plaque found in the brain cells of people with Alzheimer’s. Plaque buildup in the arteries and on the teeth is involved in heart disease. Physical exercise and meditation are two proven ways of lowering hormonal production and eliminating excess hormones from the system.
We’re programmed to react to all types of stress, whether we’re aware of it or not. Loud noises and interruption of sleep patterns are stressors. Sometimes our body’s reaction can go amiss, as in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Lupus. The body may react to noise by secreting excessive cytokines, proteins that attack germs and repair damaged tissue, but they cause problems problems if in the system to excess or for too long. Specialists are uncertain why cytokine production rises as we grow older. Ronenn Roubenoff MD, a professor at Tufts University believes, “As people grow older their immune system apparently loses its ability to regulate itself.” Is it possible that a lifetime of noise is one of the culprits? If we look at all the information in an objective, non-vested interest way, we can see how things are tied together.
Any stressor; noise, cigarettes, sugars, excessive alcohol, etc. causes the body to overreact in an effort to reach homeostasis. Symptoms are messengers of excess. If we don’t shoot the messenger, we’ll know when enough is enough.
To the best of my knowledge, there hasn’t been any research into the different types of noise being associated with different diseases, but my guess is there is a connection.
Can high noise levels contribute to obesity? If we look at lifestyle choices, interconnected functions of the organs and the body as a whole, we’ll find the answer.